Refuse container for rear end loader

ABSTRACT

A refuse container of the type adapted to be lifted up by lifting tines on a rear loader. Two or more containers may be removably coupled together so as to form one large container.

United States Patent 1191 Ramer [11] 3,823,973 1451 July 16,1974

[ REFUSE CONTAINER FOR REAR END LOADER [76] Inventor: Leonard Ramer,1137 E. 24th St.,

Brooklyn, NY. 112-10 22 Filed: Mar. 19,1973 [21 App1.No.:342,65l

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.262,857, June 4,

[52] US. Cl. 294/73, 214/302, 220/1 T [51] Int. Cl B65f 3/00 Field ofSearch 294/69 R, 73; 214/301,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,042,238 7/1962 Bryan etal. 214/317 3,122,249 2/1964 Dempster et a1. 214/302 3,136,575 '6/1964Kolling 294/73 1/1967 Clar 294/73 X Primary ExaminerJames B. MarbertAssistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry A refuse container of the typeadapted to be lifted up i 1 by lifting tines on a rear loader. Two ormore containers may be removably-coupled together so as to form onelarge container.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures REFUSE CONTAINER FOR REAR END LOADER Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part application of my copendingapplication, Ser. No. 262,857 filed June 14, 1972.

The refuse container of the present invention is of the type adapted tobe used in apartment houses, factories, office buildings, etc. whichheretofore did not use refuse containers or in the alternative utilizedone large refuse container. For flexibility so that it can be used inexisting locations, the refuse container is preferably in the form of asmall module. In order that the modules can be used with existing rearend loader type refuse vehicles, the modules are adapted to be rigidlycoupled together. Thus, the present invention does not require existingstorage locations to be modified nor do the existing vehicles have to bemodified.

The closest prior art that is known is US. Pat. No. 3,122,249. In saidpatent, there is disclosed a refuse container comprised of a pluralityof containers held in an assembled relationship by means of a torque baron the lifting tines of the vehicle cooperating with brackets on oneside and by means of a torque bar removably attached to the oppositeside. The refuse container disclosed in said patent is cumbersome,inefficient in that it is time consuming to use the same, and is notadapted for use with all types of lifting tines on front end loaders.

Each module of the refuse container of the present invention may bemounted on wheels if desired. This facilitates the ease with which thecontainers may be manipulated. Also, each module may have a movablecover. A coupling meansis permanently provided on each module forcooperation with a mating coupling means on an adjacent module. As asafety feature, each coupling means must be properly orientated withrespect to the mating coupling means, otherwise the refuse containercannot be properly picked up. This feature prevents the lifting of therefuse container wherein the modules are improperly coupled together.The coupling bar member on each module is a captive member, that is, itremains with the module.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel refusecontainer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refusecontainer comprised of modules which are easily transported into smallareas for receiving rubbish and adapted .to be coupled together to forma large container for emptying mechanically by means of a rear endloader vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refusecontainer comprised of modules, each having a captive coupling barmember in a manner which is simple, inexpensive and reliable.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand in- 7' strumentalitiesshown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of uncoupled refuse containers constructedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refuse containers in position tohave the contents thereof dumped into a rear end loader.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a refuse container designatedgenerally as 10. The refuse container 10 is comprised of modules 12 and14. The modules 12 and 14 are substantially identical. Accordingly, onlymodule 12 will be described in detail with corresponding primed numeralsbeing applied to corresponding structure on the module 14.

The module 12 is comprised of a rectangular or square housing havingvertical walls including walls 16 and 18. The housing is preferablymounted on wheels 20 for ease of manipulation within the buildingwhereby the module may be located in one position for receiving rubbishand easily moved to another location for emptying of rubbish. Thehousing is also preferably provided with a movable or pivotably mountedcover 22 secured thereto by a piano hinge 23. Vertical wall 19 isprovided with a handle 21 thereon.

The housing of module 12 has brackets 24 and 26 fixedly secured to awall thereof such as wall 16. A coupling bar member 28 is positioned sothat it extends vthrough the brackets 24 and 26 and is mounted forlimited horizontal reciprocable movement. The coupling bar member 28 maybe hollow, but is preferably solid metal.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, one of the brackets, namely bracket 26,is provided with a bayonet slot 30. The coupling bar member 28 isprovided with a latch 32 adapted to be received in the bayonet slot 30.The coupling bar member 28 is also provided with a latch 40 adapted tocooperate with a bracket 29 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.The coupling bar '28 includes a blocking flag or member 31 adapted to bemoved between the dispositions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thecoupling bar 28 is rotatably and reciprocably supported by the brackets24 and 26 and-held captive on the housing of module 12.

The module 14 includes a bracket 36 to receive coupling bar member 28for interconnecting the modules 12 and 14. As shown more clearly in FIG.1, the bracket 36 is provided with an elongated bayonet slot 38. Member28 is provided with a latch 40 adapted to be received in slot 38 whenthe modules 12 and 14 are locked together. The end 42 of bar member 28may be rounded to facilitate movement into the tubular open ing inbracket 36.

The module 12 has a pair of bars 44 which are adapted to be received ina pair of brackets 46 (only one is shown) on module 14 to further aid inaligning the modules. One bar 44 is on wall 16 with the other bar beingsecured to the opposite wall. The ends 48 of the bars 44 may be roundedto facilitate movement thereof into the tubular opening in bracket 46.

Module 12 has one" half of a stationary trunion pivot bar 50 securedthereto. Trunion pivot bar 50 has an enlarged flange 52 at the outer endthereof. Pivot bar 50 has a reduced diameterpin 54 which telescopes intoa socket 56 on pivot bar 50. The pin 54 may be rounded to facilitatemovement thereof into pocket 56 as the modules 12 and 14 are connectedtogether.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 the handles 21 and 21 are adapted to havecables 58 secured thereto by books 60 for hoisting the refuse container10. The cables are slotted at 66 to provide bearing surfaces for theouter I ends of the trunion pivot bar 50 and 50'; The end of thetrunion, pivot bar 50 cannot enter slot'66 if the coupling bar member 28is not properly latched. That is, when latch 40 is not positioned withinslot 38, the blocking member 31 will prevent the end of trunion pivotbar 50 from entering slot 66.

The provision of the four locking means, namely, coupling bar 28 whichcooperates with bracket 36, bars 44 which cooperate with brackets 46 andpivot bar 50 which cooperates with pivot bar 50', insures that modulesl2 and 14 will be securely locked together. The bar 44 and bracket 46(not shown) on the wall opposite wall 16 minimize any twisting effectbetween modules l2 and 14 as they are lifted to dump their contents.

This additional locking means also serves to minimize the forces actingupon the interconnecting means on walls 16 and 16 as the container 10 islifted into dumping position.

The'modules 12 and 14in FIG. 1 may be of a size such as 36 inches squareso as to be combinable into a refuse container 10 which is 36 inches X72 inches and capable of being handled by the rear end loader vehicle62. While the modules preferably are squares 36 inches on a side, thesize of the modules may be varied as desired. Since the only portion ofthe refuse container which cooperates with the lifting cables58 is thehandles 21 on opposite sideffaces of the refuse container 10, no specialstructure need be provided on the con- .tainers for cooperation with anyother portion of the lifting cables. In this manner, the modules may, be

grouped together and coupled in any-desired manner.

' If desired, the coupling bar and its supporting brackets may bemounted on a recessed portion of the wall of the module wherebythe wallwill be flush without any projecting elements. The handles 21 providedfor cooperation with the lifting cables 58 are a permanent part of themodules as well as the coupling bar 28 and bracket 36 which are acaptive portion of each module.

I. These features aid in reliability since there are no components whichare necessary for lifting the refuse container and .yet are 'capable ofbeing lost or stolen.

' A suitable cable hoisting mechanism will be provided on truck'62.- Thecontainer l'is wheeled into position and the hooks 60 of cables 58secured to handles 21. Thecables are hoisted, and, if the modules 12 and14 are properly locked together, the outer ends of the pivot bar's 50and 50 will be received in slots 66 in brackets 64. The lids 22 and 22will fall open by gravity and the contents of container dumped into theI refuse collectiont'ruck .62.

" The present invention may be embodied in other spetial attributesthereof and, accordingly, reference 4 ally perpendicular to said firstwall, said brackets supporting said bar for reciprocation in ahorizontal direction, a stationary pivot bar secured to said secondwall, and'means onthe coupling bar for blocking said pivot bar when saidcoupling bar is in inoperative position.

2. A refuse container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said couplingbar includes a latch thereon, one of said brackets including a bayonetslot for receiving the latch, said coupling bar being supported forrotation about its longitudinal axis by said brackets.

3. A refuse container in accordance with claim 2 including' a pivotablecover for said opening, and said housing being mounted on wheels.

4. A refuse container in accordance with claim 1 including a secondhousing juxtaposed to said firstmentioned housing, a bracket on saidsecond housing, said coupling bar being-received in'said last mentionedbracket adjacent the interface between said housings, and a wall of saidsecond housing remote from said interfacehaving thereon a horizontallydisposed stationary pivot bar,the horizontally disposed pivot bars onerative position when received in said last mentioned rectangularhousings each having an access'opening at the top thereof through whichrefuse may be introduced into the housings, each housing having a planarside wall juxtaposed to a planar side wall of the adjacent housing at aninterface, a side wall of each housing remote from and parallel to theinterface having thereon a handle to receive a hoisting cable, eachhousing having a second wall which is perpendicular to the interface, acoupling bar supported on the second wall of one of said housings, amating bracket supported on the other housing, said coupling bar beingat the same elevation as said bracket on its respective housing, meansfor removably interconnecting the end of the coupling bar into thebracket, a stationary pivot bar on each housing second wall, means forpreventing the cific forms without departing from the spirit or essentheforegoing" specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A refuse container comprising a rectangular housing having an accessopening through which refuse may be introduced into the housing, ahorizontally disposed handle means fixedly secured to a first side wallof the housing for receiving a lifting cable, a side wall onsaidcoupling bar from being removed from its housing, said coupling barbeing supported on its housing for limited reciprocal movement whereinan end portion of said bar. may obstruct free access to one of saidstationary pivot bars.

7. A refuse v container in accordance with claim 6 wherein said meansfor interconnecting said coupling bar to said bracket is integral withsaid coupling bar and includes a tubular said interface.

8. A refuse container in accordance with claim 7 portion which extendsacross wherein the housings are square and said coupling bar and bracketare coaxial.

when said housings are interconnected.

1. A refuse container comprising a rectangular housing having an accessopening through which refuse may be introduced into the housing, ahorizontally disposed handle means fixedly secured to a first side wallof the housing for receiving a lifting cable, a side wall on saidhousing opposite said first side wall being substantially planar andlacking any structure to facilitate lifting the housing, a coupling barsupported by brackets on a second wall of said housing movable betweenan operative and inoperative position, said second wall being generallyperpendicular to said first wall, said brackets supporting said bar forreciprocation in a horizontal direction, a stationary pivot bar securedto said second wall, and means on the coupling bar for blocking saidpivot bar when said coupling bar is in inoperative position.
 2. A refusecontainer in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coupling bar includesa latch thereon, one of said brackets including a bayonet slot forreceiving the latch, said coupling bar being supported for rotationabout its longitudinal axis by said brackets.
 3. A refuse container inaccordance with claim 2 including a pivotable cover for said opening,and said housing being mounted on wheels.
 4. A refuse container inaccordance with claim 1 including a second housing juxtaposed to saidfirst-mentioned housing, a bracket on said second housing, said couplingbar being received in said last mentioned bracket adjacent the interfacebetween said housings, and a wall of said second housing remote fromsaid interface having theReon a horizontally disposed stationary pivotbar, the horizontally disposed pivot bars on said first and secondhousings being at the same elevation and including means for couplingsaid pivot bars together.
 5. A refuse container in accordance with claim1 including a second housing adjacent said first-mentioned housing, abracket on said second housing being coupled to said coupling bar, saidcoupling bar being in operative position when received in said lastmentioned bracket wherein said blocking means does not block said pivotbar.
 6. A refuse container comprising first and second rectangularhousings each having an access opening at the top thereof through whichrefuse may be introduced into the housings, each housing having a planarside wall juxtaposed to a planar side wall of the adjacent housing at aninterface, a side wall of each housing remote from and parallel to theinterface having thereon a handle to receive a hoisting cable, eachhousing having a second wall which is perpendicular to the interface, acoupling bar supported on the second wall of one of said housings, amating bracket supported on the other housing, said coupling bar beingat the same elevation as said bracket on its respective housing, meansfor removably interconnecting the end of the coupling bar into thebracket, a stationary pivot bar on each housing second wall, means forpreventing the coupling bar from being removed from its housing, saidcoupling bar being supported on its housing for limited reciprocalmovement wherein an end portion of said bar may obstruct free access toone of said stationary pivot bars.
 7. A refuse container in accordancewith claim 6 wherein said means for interconnecting said coupling bar tosaid bracket is integral with said coupling bar and includes a tubularportion which extends across said interface.
 8. A refuse container inaccordance with claim 7 wherein the housings are square and saidcoupling bar and bracket are coaxial.
 9. A refuse container inaccordance with claim 6 wherein said one housing includes two bars onopposite facing walls, the other housing includes brackets on oppositefacing walls for telescopically receiving said bars when said housingsare interconnected.